But like we said before, though there is an increase in COVID and flu cases, there are no mandates in place. However, the CDC is recommending wearing a mask during the Christmas season, since that is the time families gather en masse. We asked Dr Diaz if she's encouraging Belizeans to do the same.
Dr Melissa Diaz, Director, Public Health & Wellness
"Definitely we continue to encourage public health measures, it has to be, there is absolutely nothing that is mandated, it's not a mandate to wear masks, but we encourage that if you do have an elderly person in your household, if you do work with the elderly or with vulnerable populations, you should wear your masks. You may be Asymptomatic but you can still transmit COVID. This is something that you have to take personal responsibility and make the determination whether or not you will wear your mask, of course if you're a young person and you're not living with a vulnerable person and you are feeling well, it would not be necessary. We also recommend that if you do have a cough, a cold, you have body aches, you have fever, notify your employer, as well, keep your mask on and get tested, we have all our health facilities continue to perform tests, its easily accessible and we're asking that you continue to check because you might have very little symptoms or mild symptoms but someone who is more vulnerable and whose body is not able to fight the virus as good as you can might not be as lucky."
